HEAT INDEX

Both Oden (knee) and Haslem (foot), after being examined by an independent league-appointed physician, have been deemed to be carrying injuries that likely will sideline them for the remainder of the season.

Portland and Miami, as a result, have received exceptions valued at half of each player's salary.

In the Blazers' case, that amounts to $3,380,262 from Oden's $6,760,524 salary and expires Dec. 30.

League rules allow for such exceptions to be used to acquire only one player, but teams can use them to sign a free agent or to take on salary in trade before the expiration date.

The 45-day clock for using such exceptions starts when the team reasonably knows that the player's injury could potentially be season-ending.

But if Oden or Haslem unexpectedly recovers faster than doctors have forecasted, they are not precluded from rejoining their respective teams.

A returning injured player can be reactivated without affecting his replacement, as Miami found out in the 2000-01 season when Alonzo Mourning returned after missing five months and the Heat had been granted an injury exception for what was presumed to be a season-ending kidney disorder.

When used in trades, teams may acquire a player whose salary -- including any trade kickers -- does not exceed the value of the exception plus $100,000.